Anchoring the Club — 2016 Understanding Rule 14-1B

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2016 EDITION OF THE RULES OF GOLF: Golf is a global game and Rulesand the Rules ofof Amateur Golf Status E The R&A and the USGA ffEctivE EffEctivE have issued this single set of January 2016

Rules to apply worldwide

J anuary to all golfers. Anchoring the Club — 2016 Understanding Rule 14-1b

In making a stroke, the player must not anchor WHAT CHANGES? WHAT THE RULE SAYS the club, either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point.” The new entry—Rule 14-1b NOTE 1: NOTE 2: —prohibits strokes made with the The club is anchored “directly” when the player An “anchor point” exists when the player club or a hand gripping the club held intentionally holds the club or a gripping hand intentionally holds a forearm in contact with any directly against the player’s body or in contact with any part of his body, except that part of his body to establish a gripping hand as with a forearm held against the body the player may hold the club or a gripping hand a stable point around which the other hand may to establish an anchor point that against a hand or forearm. swing the club. indirectly anchors the club.

THIS IS NOT AN EQUIPMENT RULE — Conforming mid-length and long putters remain permissible provided they are not anchored.

PERMITTED PROHIBITED

CLAW CROSS-HANDED LONG PUTTER NOT MID-LENGTH ANCHORED PUTTER ANCHORED AGAINST STOMACH

ANCHORED LONG PUTTER FOREARMS HELD AGAINST BODY WITHOUT ANCHOR POINT

ANCHOR POINT CREATED BY MID LENGTH FOREARM PUTTER NOT ANCHORED

Penalty ONE OR BOTH ELBOWS Anchoring the club BRACED AGAINST BODY inin makingmaking aa strokestroke brings a two-stroke penalty in stroke play and loss of hole in match TRADITIONAL GRIP play (as with any other breach of Rule 14-1).

END OF CLUB GRIP ANCHORED RESTING AGAINST AGAINST CHIN FOREARM